ROH 01/19/19 TV Review: Silas Young vs The Beer City Bruiser
12/15/18
2300 Arena
Philadelphia, PA
This week was the third episode from the set of tapings from Philadelphia, PA. Ian Riccaboni, Colt Cabana and Caprice Coleman were on commentary and welcomed us to the show.
First Match: ROH TV title Number One Contender Tournament
Eli Isom vs. Facade
Anytime commentary, specifically Caprice Coleman, can make a “Go Ninja, Go Ninja, Go” reference from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2, I am always going to be drawn in. Good back and forth action in this match-just moments after Isom connected with a tope suicida, Facade did him one better and hit a step-up springboard 450 clothesline to a standing Isom on the outside. Facade followed with a Neon Hammer (Burning hammer) and a Neon VanTerminator, but still was not able to put Isom away. Isom was able to block a Canadian destroyer attempt and string together a clothesline followed by a Brainbuster before securing the pinfall victory. Great effort on both sides here and while it seemed to slow down a bit here towards the middle of the match this was a fun, high-flying affair.
Winner: Eli Isom
We cut to a backstage segment featuring Kelly Klein. She reminded everyone that she defeated three women to win the WOH World title before going on to say that every single one of her matches moving forward will be championship matches, as she will defend it every time she wrestles.
Jay Lethal then cut a promo about how he is eventually gunning for Matt Taven.
Riccabonni announced that The Kingdom will defend the 6-Man Tag titles against Villian Enterprises, with PCO and Brody King making their television debuts (at this point Honor Reigns Supreme featured both King and PCO in their ROH debuts.)
Second Match: Rush vs TK O’Ryan
This was an excellent match and debut for Rush. O’Ryan may not have been a sexy pick but he certainly rose to the occasion here and match Rush move for move. This was hard-hitting, as both men really reared back on a number of occasions and both were able to rev it up to another level as well. The crowd was fully invested here with almost 100% support for Rush. Rush was able to come away with the pinfall victory after hitting a running basement dropkick. This is really a can’t miss match and one that you should go out of your way to watch.
Post-match three balloons float up and single the arrival of Vinny Marseglia who slithered into the ring behind Rush and confronted him. Matt Taven then slid in from the aisle and the two beat Rush down, setting up for a conchairto. With TK rejoining them, the three punished Rish with a triple conchairto and stood over him. Commentary reminded us Taven and Rush issues stemming from Taven’s time in CMLL.
Winner: Rush
Main Event: ROH TV title Number One Contender Tournament
Silas Young vs. The Beer City Bruiser
Rhett Titus replaced Coleman on commentary here, clad in a very small pair bodybuilding trunks that made Cabana cringe and accompanied by his Mr. Suvival of the Fittest body competition trophy. Tons of weapons and crazy spots in this one. Young laid BCB on a bed made of six chairs and tossed him from the top through them, but only got a two count. He found some zip ties under the ring and affixed BCB to the ropes and began to wail away. Brian Milonas, BCB’s partner came down and attacked Young, eventually freeing BCB. Milonas went to add an exclamation point on the help by delivering a Yokozuna Banzai drop onto Young with a chair betwixt them. Young moved and bashed Milonas with the chair before tossing him off the top rope to the outside through a table. The time allowed BCB to recover and set up a table, laying Young on it. He went for an ill-advised frog splash and crashed through the table, allowing Young to hoist him up for Misery, picking up the pinfall victory.
Winner: Silas Young
Final Reaction: B+
This was aanother strong episode from ROH. Rush’s debut was excellent-TK O’Ryan matched up superbly with him and laying the foundation for there to be further issues here sets up Rush in a meaningful way. The mini-tournament was a fun way to make the matches mean more and building off the issues that the Beer City Bruiser and Silas Young had made for an interesting main event. The next contender for the TV title will be easy to follow and the episode overall felt like this reboot is being rolled out with both fans from before this year and newer fans who may have jumped aboard after the new signings.